Bill > S2450

This bill, the Rural Health Innovation Act of 2021, aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas. It establishes two programs: the Rural Health Center Innovation Awards program and the Rural Health Department Enhancement program. The Rural Health Center Innovation Awards program provides grants to Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to establish or maintain facilities that serve as walk-in urgent care and triage centers in rural areas. The grants can be used to expand hours of operation, fund construction and renovations, or support other activities to achieve this goal. The Rural Health Department Enhancement program provides grants to rural public health departments to enable them to offer emergency services, triage and transport to emergency departments, primary care, and other services similar to those provided by emergency departments in rural areas. The grants can be used to obtain medical equipment and hire additional healthcare providers. Both programs are funded at $25 million per year for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.